Romans 3:21-264 December, 2011

Luther:

“the chief point…of the whole Bible.” 

Leon Morris

“ it is possibly the most important single paragraph ever written.” 

Dr Donald Grey Barnhouse

Called this passage:

“the heart of the Bible.”

Verse 21

“But now a right-eousness from God … has been made known.”

George Matheson

“Make me a captive Lord,And then I shall be free;Force me to render up my sword,And I shall conqueror be.I sink in life’s alarms when by myself I stand;Imprison me within thine arms,And strong shall be my hand.”

Four Important Ideas

The Old Testament, The Jews and Greeks, Faith in Christ, and The Wrath of God. 

The Wrath of God: v 24-25

1. Justify.

2. Redeem

3. Propitiate.

Word, Meaning, Result

Justify: To declare righteous - Acquittal 

Redeem: To release from slavery –

Freedom 

Propitiate: To turn away wrath - Accepted 

The Centre of the Whole Bible

1.  Paul sets forth the revelation of God’s righteousness in its relationship to the Old Testament. Rom. 3:21

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

The Centre of the Whole Bible

2.  Paul sets forth the availability of God’s righteousness to all human beings without racial distinction, but on condition of faith. Rom. 3:22-23

The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

The Centre of the Whole Bible

3.  Paul sets forth the source of God’s righteousness in God’s gracious provision of Christ Jesus as the propitiation for our sins. Rom. 3:24-25a

and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

The Centre of the Whole Bible

4.  Paul sets forth the demonstration of God’s righteousness in the cross of Christ. Rom. 3:25b-26

This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:21-264 December, 2011